What a great opportunity to have some fun with the kids.
We had practices this past weekend, the last weekend before Halloween, so the question was, "how can I incorporate Halloween into hockey practice and still teach hockey skills?"
First thing I did was head to Dollarama and see what they had available for cheap, after all, I was using my own cash. I had no idea what I was looking for, but figured it would hit me once I was in the aisles, and it did. So I picked up a dozen 'Witches Hats'. They fit over the pylons quite nicely, and the kids got a kick out of doing some relay races around the hats.
Next I picked up a couple of these window coverings to hang from the nets. As you can see the posters do not touch the ice, so I had a contest to see who could raise the puck off the ice and hit the poster. This was a great opportunity to reinforce the technique for a 'flip-shot'. It just so happens that at the 'Parents Meeting' I told everyone my stretch goal for the year with the kids was to have every player be able to get the puck off the ice.
All in all, this weekend cost me about $30, and well worth it. I took a lot of satisfaction in the fun the kids had, and I know I made a memorable weekend for them all. However small a contribution it was.
And I know it shouldn't matter, the kids are the #1 priority, but compliments from parents over the weekend about it all felt GREAT!!
If you're unsure about teaching the 'Flip-Shot, here's a great video clip from Hockey Canada that breaks it down. Yes, it's a much older player, but the concepts are the same. After just one short 8-minute session with the kids I had a few of them getting the puck off the ice. I feel confident that we'll have them all raising the puck by the season's end.
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